360° - 'Ombra Mai Fu' - Iestyn Davies & Academy of Ancient Music

Whilst recording 'Ombra Mai Fu' with countertenor Iestyn Davies, we made a short 360-degree test film which you can see here. Iestyn is one of the world's finest counter-tenor voices, and this 360' VR film shows a recording & filming session in progress with the Academy of Ancient Music.

OMBRA MAI FU
The opening number from Handel's 1738 opera, Serse, this aria was re-discovered in the 19th century and has become one of Handel's best-known pieces. Often known simply as 'Largo from Xerxes', this aria was adapted by Handel from a setting by Giovanni Bononcini, who in turn had adapted it from a setting by Francesco Cavalli.

Sung in the opera by the main character Xerxes I of Persia as he admires the shade of a plane tree:
'Ombra mai fu
di vegetabile,
cara ed amabile,
soave più.'

'Never was a shade
of any plant
dearer and more lovely,
or more sweet.'

MUSIC
'Ombra Mai Fu'
from: Xerses / Serse HWV 40 [1738]
composer: G. F Handel [1685 - 1759]

ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC
countertenor: Iestyn Davies
directed by: Chad Kelly
leader: Bojan Cicic

This recording was made possible by the Academy of Ancient Music's Strategic Recording Fund and other supporters.
#360cam #IestynDavies